The educational motivation of 200 adult undergraduate college women from four academic groups were examined, using the Educational Participation Scale (Boshier, 1971). The sample ranged in age from 30 to 55 years old, with a median age of 39. Their academic areas of study were business and public administration, health services, liberal arts and home economics, and education and psychology. Overall, the women were motivated highly by "cognitive interest," moderately by "social welfare,""escape/stimulation," and "professional advancement" and low by "social relations." The academic program groups did not differ in social relations, escape/stimulation, and social welfare. On professional advancement, the liberal arts/home economics group scored lowest. Minority women scored higher on social relations, professional advancement, and cognitive interest. Unemployed women score higher on professional advancement and cognitive advancement. Caucasian unemployed women were highest on escape/stimulation and lowest on cognitive interest. (Author/SW)